Why can't I use my Removable Storage Device?
We have taken the decision to block any USB removable storage devices - both external drives and the encrypted USB sticks that have previously been offered by the Trust 😱 here are the main reasons why;
🪲They are an easy carrier of malware
An infected drive being plugged into a corporate workstation intentionally or unintentionally can wreak havoc. Depending on the malware type, be it ransomware that locks down your entire system, or silent malware that infects your machine quietly, it can do a huge amount of damage by the time you've noticed it.
Incidents like these also impact our organisation’s credibility.
😈They are a medium for data breach / leakage
Data loss via these devices isn’t something new. Organisations that allow employees to use USB removable drives to store sensitive information (for work) are always at the risk of data loss.
What are your options for accessing data outside of the Trust?
The simple answer is Office 365, with the use of either your OneDrive or SharePoint you can securely access Trust data from any device, anywhere in the world, all you need is access to the internet.
Here are links to a couple of solutions that you may find helpful:
Saving Files & quick access to OneDrive
Sharing SharePoint / OneDrive files / folders with external users
Note that we do have a list of restricted access for some countries where you cannot access Office 365, please see our linked solution : Restricted access for some Countries
NB: We have now retired the Service Request form to order a 16GB Encrypted USB stick.